Future Makers Awards: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

12 October 2016 · by Nuala McHale

Q: What are the Future Makers Awards?

The Future Makers Awards, celebrate digital solutions that answer society’s most pressing challenges. From October 18th to December 8th young people are invited to submit their ideas via an application and demonstrate how they are using their coding superpowers to create a positive social impact.

The Awards are a partnership between CoderDojo and Liberty Global (and its operations) to encourage and acknowledge socially conscious coding.

Q: What are the criteria to enter?

Applicants must be between the ages of 10-17 years;

Applications must be submitted via the online application form, available in ten languages;

The applicant’s idea must use technology/coding;

It must be an individual‘s project, Group projects are not suitable;

The project needs to be about bringing a positive social impact by providing a real solution to a specific social challenge;

The project demonstrates innovative elements and stands out from current solutions.

Q: What software/technology should I use?

You can use any coding language and technology you want to develop your idea and bring your project to life.

Q: What is a social issue?

Have you noticed an issue that affects people in your community? Can you think about a solution to help solve or improve people’s lives using your coding superpowers?

We are looking for projects that will help people and improve their lives and the communities they live in. If you want to get inspired, check out some cool Future Makers and their ideas at the bottom of this page.

Q: What do we mean by innovation?

An innovative project is a project that uses new ideas or new ways to solve an issue or improve a solution.

Q: How do I get an application form?

You can download an application form in your chosen language. Make sure you save it on your computer, and then fill in and save this offline version to email to us.

Step 2: Fill in the online application form. Application forms are to be filled in on your computer (there is no need to print them). You can also create a short, two-minute video to support your application (talk about you and your project). Add the publicly accessible link to your video in the application

Step 3: Once complete, email your application to [email protected]DON’T FORGET to add in the subject line of your email the country you are submitting your application from and your age group (either 10-13 years old, or 14-17 years old). Example of email subject line: Future Makers Application | France | 14-17 years old

Q: Do I have to include a video to enter?

Submitting a video is optional. However, it will give us a chance to get to know you and your idea better.

Q: Whatshould I include in my video?

In your video tell us why you are passionate about coding, how you came to develop your project and how you believe your project can make the world a better place.

Q: What should I use to make the video?

You can use a smartphone to record your video. You don’t need to spend time editing the video. You can use WeTransfer/Dropbox/Youtube/Drive to create a publicly accessible link for your video.

Q: Does My Project need to be finished completely to enter it?

No, projects do not need to be fully finished, once you can explain the project idea and how it will function in detail.

Q: Whenis the application deadline?

The deadline for submission is the 8th of December. You will have seven weeks to work on your solution, from the 18th of October to the 8th of December. Make sure to include in the subject line of your email the country you are submitting your application from and your age group.

Winners will be announced February 2017. So be sure to check your inbox regularly. Award winners will be announced in two age categories: 10 – 13 years old and 14 – 17 years old.

Q: Will the winners receive a prize?

Yes! Winners will be chosen in both the 10-13 and the 14-17 age categories. Winners will be treated to an awesome 2 day expenses paid fun filled trip to Amsterdam the European Capital of Innovation! While each runner up will receive €300 of cool coding/robotics equipment.

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Declan Murray says

Hi Folks, I am just filling the download PDF application form now on behalf of my son Benjamin, and notice that there is a limit of much lot less than the 300, 300 and 500 words mentioned respectively in the 3 input boxes. Once you get to the bottom of each box, it is not possible to enter more text. Do I need to edit the document in a separate PDF Editor?

Kind Regards, Declan

Nuala McHale says

Hi Declan,
Thanks for asking. Make sure you download the application. And then open it from your computer. Then you are able to paste in text and type up to the 300/500 word limits.You do not need to use a separate PDF Editor.
If you try and do this online, (not opening your saved version from your computer), you will have the issue described.
Make sure the text has saved in the application on your computer before sending.